Sometimes I ask myself what is the reason that I love India so much? Because I have different reasons for associating with India such as, I started my charitable and humanitarian works with an Indian, Ma’am Sipra Narula who is one of the best social activists and humanitarian. I sent children who suffer from heart defects to India in 2016, then, Sri Sathya Sanjavani hospital with the help of volunteers treat and operate them. One of my another friends, Mr. Tamal Deshmukh who is the founder of Open Arms foundation used to send donations, and I used to buy wheelchairs for disabled children. When I say this is the only reason, it doesn’t satisfy my soul.

For the first time, I participated in international South Asian Youth Summit as a delegate in 2017 from Afghanistan in Odisha, India. I think this is the other reason, however this answer does not satisfy me either. On the contrary, I attended this conference only because of my love for India.

In 2018, after long time of struggle and hardworking, I got the ICCR scholarship and I completed my Masters in English from Himachal Pradesh University. I got a chance to interact with the most beautiful people of Himachal. Sometimes I feel this is again one of the reasons of my love for India, but there is never end of reasons for loving India.

I also love Indian songs, Bollywood movies, Indian cricketers, Bollywood stars. Along with this, I also love Indian spiritual and inspirational speakers. Again,I get other reasons to love India.

Moving down to memory lane, I remember when I was a child, our financial life was very bad in Kabul, Afghanistan. In 1987, I was born in Kabul. According to my mother, I suffered from malnutrition, especially my feet were very weak. My father brought Indian biscuits which were very healthy and rich in nutrients. It was donated by the government of India to Afghanistan malnourished children. When I had them, I got healthy and became a strong boy. Since childhood, my mother always have repeated this memory to me that I got healthy, because of having Indian biscuits. I think any words whether good or bad which are told to a child in childhood, it had a profound effect on child’s character and personality. From my conscious and subconscious mind, I can proudly say that these are the reasons that I love India and people of India from the core of my heart.

Guest Article,by : Farhad Zaheer,
Lecturer by profession and humanitarian by passion